Author Archives: Kathryn Fogleman

Community: A Feeling of Fellowship with Others

groupWorking in Res Life at Valpo opened my eyes to how intentional Valpo is in it’s creation of community. Valpo students seem to understand the benefits about this sort of community and carry it with them wherever they go. Even though our time together has been relatively short, our DC CAPS cohort has created a strong bond that I am increasingly grateful for. Although I am saddened that my time in DC is dwindling, I am confident that our friendship is strong and the memories of adventures, conversation, and family dinners we shared will continue to make me smile.

 

Given that they have added so much to my CAPS experience, I think it’s fitting to speak a bit about each one of them.

Nura

 

I’m thankful for Nura’s kind and thoughtful spirit. Though never afraid to challenge another person’s opinion, she approaches every conversation with such consideration and respect for others. If more of us emulated Nura’s demeanor, I am confident that the world would be a more peaceful and joyous place.

 

katie

I’m thankful for Katie’s desire to explore. After a draining week at work it’s easy to want to veg out; but, when DC has so much to offer, Katie’s adventurous spirit is what makes the rest of us get up and go. She is truly the catalyst to many of my favorite memories. I admire how Katie approaches people on the street and strikes up conversation, consistently making them smile. In many ways this makes me think that Katie is the human embodiment of Pokemon Go!

 

I’m thankful for Danielle’s sense of humor and perceptiveness. She can danielle 2always be counted on to lift our spirits. Danielle is the epitome of a genial, amiable person and as the only person in our cohort that I didn’t know before coming to DC, I am exceptionally thankful to have not only met her, but gotten to know her.

 

Community seems especially important given what is going on in our country and the world all over. Although we have never been entirely unified in our history, it seems that an increasing percentage of Americans have without a doubt at least temporarily forgotten what unites us, and instead are focusing on what divides us. We demonize differences rather than celebrating that it is in our differences that we can find strength. We are by many measures more divided than ever before. Living in the heart of American politics has shown me how increasingly polarized we have become, both politically                                                                                     and socially.

 

In a time when it is easy to become disheartened by what seems like an endless stream of bad news, I have felt especially fortunate to be a part of a community at work, what we call the Venn Family. The firm employees people of a variety of religions. There are Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, and non-religious individuals. There are Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. Some are introverted, others extrovert, some married, some single, some gay, and some straight. Yet regardless of these differences the respect and affection in this office is palpable. Every individual’s contribution is valued, and it is clear to me that through what I’ve experienced, that not only in name but in reality, Venn is truly a family. Although I hadn’t thought about it extensively before, thanks to my time at Venn and, I now know that when it comes time for me to enter the professional world full-time that finding this type of community will be on the top of my list of desirables. Community is equally important to me in the workplace as with those I live with or near.

Service? Service.

A big component of the CAPS program that really drew me towards it was the service aspect. When I first began to explore all of the placement options, I was sure that I’d end up at a non-profit, because I associated the two words. To be honest, where I’m interning couldn’t be further from a non-profit. Truth be told, I’m working for a big money organization. Venn strategies, my fellowship location, is a public affairs and consulting firm.

 

Everyone always asks me what exactly is a public affairs and consulting firm. Simply put, it’s a lobbying firm.

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Most of us shudder when we hear lobbying, thinking of outrageous sums of money in politics, people whose voices seem to be significantly louder or more powerful than the average American’s. Big tobacco, the NRA, manipulation, corruption, bribery…these are all things I used to think of when I thought about lobbying. In this I don’t think I was unique.

 

But the truth is, any interest out there likely has someone who lobbies on behalf of it. For interests both good and bad, there is somebody or some group out there lobbying for policies that protect or further that interest.

 

Lobbyists are not experts themselves on whatever subject matter is at hand. A lobbyist’s job is to act as intermediaries between private businesses, churches, coalitions, whomever wants to affect policy change, and those with the power to enact change. We know the ins and out of D.C., whether it be Capitol Hill, various government departments, think tanks, we work to develop strong coalitions and formulate the plan of attack. A successful lobbyist usually begins his or her career working on the Hill, and building their professional network-something that is crucial in the lobbying world.

 

Along with creating coalitions and meeting with political officials, we have to create a portfolio of documents to educate policy makers as well. As an intern, I work mostly with setting up the meetings and helping to collect the appropriate information. My tasks range from performing basic research, to putting together unintimidating yet informative documents to educate others on our cause, to attending relevant hearings or markups of a bill.

 

A hearing on a Mental Health bill I recently attended.

A hearing on a Mental Health bill I                     recently attended.

 

The service that we provide to our clients varies depending on both the client and the interest. In the case of my current project, which I am unfortunately unable to divulge, we are serving not only the companies in the coalition themselves, but truly all of their employees. The actions that we are taking on the Hill, if successful, could potentially save about a million US jobs in the long term.

 

For the longest time I struggled with feeling like I wasn’t performing the service aspect of the CAPS program. I’ve had to rewire my brain to understand that what Venn does is indeed is a service to many. Working at a for-profit company doesn’t mean that I am not providing a worthwhile service. Saving US jobs is a service to each individual who holds that job, and by extension a service to their family.

 

DC is a fantastic place to spend your CAPS fellowship. Life in DC moves fast, and there’s always something (free) to do. Whether it’s Jazz in the sculpture garden on a Friday night, shopping at Eastern Market and running into former President Bill Clinton, exploring local artwork, or seeing the Nats play (Go Cubs!), you won’t be disappointed in this city!

 

Meeting former President Bill Clinton!

Meeting former President Bill Clinton!

 

Go Cubs!

Go Cubs!